Energy absorption devices for vehicles

ABSTRACT

Energy absorption device comprising a fixed element and a movable element both connected to a frame structure and to the seat of a vehicle equipped with anchor means for safety belts or harnesses, and adapted to pivot about an axis rigid with the vehicle against the resistant force of the energy absorption device, characterized in that a member rigid with said movable element of the energy absorption device or of said seat cooperates with another energy absorption device mounted on a retractable or collapsible element in the passenger&#39;&#39;s compartment, said other energy absorption device being disposed for example within the steering column.

United States Patent Inventor Noel Le Mire Blllancourt, France Appl. No.882,843 Filed Dec. 8, 1969 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Assignees RegieNationale Des Uslnes Renault Billancourt, Automobiles Peugeot Paris,France Priority Dec. 9, 1968 France 177205 ENERGY ABSORPTION DEVICES FORVEHICLES 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 280/87,

280/ l 50 B Int. Cl 862d 1/02 Field of Search 280/150 B,

150 SB, 87; 297/388, 216; 296/65 A; ISO/82.8, 82

Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. SongAtrorneyStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher ABSTRACT: Energy absorptiondevice comprising a fixed element and a movable element both connectedto a frame structure and to the seat of a vehicle equipped with anchormeans for safety belts or harnesses, and adapted to pivot about an axisrigid with the vehicle against the resistant force of the energyabsorption device, characterized in that a member rigid with saidmovable element of the energy absorption device or of said sealcooperates with another energy absorption device mounted on aretractable or collapsible element in the passengers compartment, saidother energy absorption device being disposed for example within thesteering column.

PATENTED DEC 1 4 Ian ENERGY ABSORPTION DEVICES FOR VEHICLES The presentinvention relates to a device for absorbing energy in automotivevehicles, and is applicable more particularly to a vehicle seat, notablyof the type hingedly attached to the floor of the vehicle and associatedwith at least one energy absorbing and dissipating device.

Safety seats associated with an energy absorption device withoutsubsequent restoration of the absorbed energy are already known throughthe French Pat. No. RV. 143,652 of Mar. I4, 1968. Energy absorptiondevices are also used for damping out and limiting the consequences of ashock following the throwing of a passenger in the forward direction incase of front crash of the vehicle. A particularly interestingapplication of these devices is the multisection steering column, theshaft thereof being adapted to collapse in case of application of asudden and fierce shock to the front of the vehicle, which causes thedriver to be thrown against the steering wheel. The French Pat. No.144,499 of Mar. 3, I968 recites a safety steering column of which thesteering wheel is adapted to move axially in relation to the passengerscompartment when a shock of predetermined magnitude is applied to saidwheel. To avoid the inconveniences due to accidental shocks between thepassengers or driver and inner portions of the compartment, it is nowcurrent practice to use safety harnesses or belts the anchor points ofwhich are disposed mainly on the floor or the door sills. However,devices for securing such safety belts or harnesses to body or chassiselements are not suitable for seats associated with energy absorptiondevices and adapted to tilt forwards. In this case the safety harnessesare anchored to means carried by the seat frame or structure so that thedriver or passenger becomes an integral part of his seat.

It is known that a now current safety requirement is not only tominimize the injuries likely to be caused by steering control members tothe driver in case of a shock or crash, but also to limit the forceexerted on the drivers chest to a maximum value beyond which thesteering wheel must collapse in front of the driver. In most instancesthe steering column will retard the translation of the driver not rigidwith his seat, by absorbing its kinetic energy without restoring same.However, if the driver is attached to a seat associated with an energyabsorption device, the impact produced between the driver and thesteering wheel will not be sufficient to cause an efficient collapse ofthe wheel. In this case the steering wheel will cause severe injuries tothe driver for the lower effort does not permit the operation of thesteering wheel collapsing device.

It is the essential object of the present invention to avoid theinconveniences set forth hereinabove by providing a device permitting onthe one hand the collapse or retraction of the steering wheel withoutany appreciable retaining effort if, when the crash or shock takesplace, the driver attached to his seat is tilted forwards, and on theother hand the collapse or retraction of the steering wheel withconcomitant energy absorption and dissipation, without any subsequentrestoration of the absorbed or dissipated energy, if, in case of suddenand strong shock at the front, the driver not attached to his seat isthrown forwards.

This energy absorption device comprising a fixed element and a movableelement both connected to a frame element and to the seat equipped withanchor means for safety harnesses or belts, said seat being adapted topivot about an axis rigid with the vehicle floor against the resistanteffort of said energy absorption device, is characterized by theprovision of a member rigid with the movable element of the energyabsorption device associated with the seat of the vehicle, said membercooperating unilaterally with a second energy absorption device.

With the device briefly described hereinabove the steering column cancollapse in front of the driver attached to his seat, without anypossibility of retaining effort, the kinetic energy being absorbed bythe seat alone.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as thefollowing description proceeds in connection with typical forms ofembodiment given by way of example and il ustrated diagrammatically inthe attached drawing, In the drawmg:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a driver attached to a seatequipped with the safety device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the mode of operation of the devicewhen the driver is attached to his seat, and

FIG. 3 is another view showing the mode of operation of the device whenthe driver is not attached to his seat.

In the exemplary form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, asteering wheel 3 or any other protection member disposed within thepassengers compartment and adapted to retain a passenger is disposed infront of the seat 1 of passenger 2. This seat I is adapted to pivotabout a horizontal transverse axis 1, rigid with the floor of thevehicle. A tubular casing 4 is welded to a bracket 5 secured to theinstrument panel 6 of the vehicle by means of plastic shoes (not shown).The tubular casing 4 is riveted as described and illustrated in theFrench Pat. No. P.V. 144,499 of Mar. 3, I968, to an inner tubular shaft,so that in case of front shock or crash the effort produced besufiicient for shearing the rivets from the onset, without any risk ofinjuring the driver. A cable 7 attached to said bracket 5 is passedunder tension over guide rollers or pins 8 rigid with the framestructure of the vehicle, and is operatively connected to the movablemember 9 of an energy absorption device 10 rigid with the seat 1.

In the form of embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 as the driver 2 utilizes thesafety harness equipping the seat 11, the steering wheel 3 is adapted tocollapse when the seat is tilted forwards by operating its inherentenergy absorption device 10. In this case the kinetic energy is absorbedby the two devices connected in series, namely the device 10 and thedevice equipping the steering column. FIG. 2 illustrates the collapse ofthe steering wheel as a consequence of a shock. In the alternate caseillustrated in FIG. 3 the driver is not attached to his seat and when ashock or crash takes place his chest strikes the steering wheel and onlythe energy absorption device associated with this wheel is operative.

It would not constitute a departure from this invention to replace themechanical device constituted by the cable 7 with a single-actingcylinder and piston unit of which the piston rod associated with theseat controls another single-acting device of same type associated withthe steering column.

The essential feature characterizing this device is its extremely simpledesign, for it is adaptable to any known energy absorption deviceassociated with the steering system. Under these conditions, the safetyseats will require energy absorption devices of relatively reducedoverall dimensions since one fraction of the kinetic energy developedduring a shock or crash is absorbed by the collapse of the steeringwheel.

Of course, various modifications and variations may be brought to thespecific forms of embodiment of this present invention which are shownand described herein, without departing from the scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. An energy absorption device for use in automobiles having a chassis,a seat equipped with anchor means for safety harnesses and pivotallymounted on said chassis about an axis transverse to said chassis, and asteering column, said device comprising a first energy absorption meansmounted between said chassis and said seat to oppose pivotal motion ofsaid seat, a second energy absorption means forming a collapsibleportion of said steering column, and means interconnecting said firstand said second energy absorption means and adapted to actuate saidsecond means unilaterally in response to actuation of said first means.

2. An energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein said meansinterconnecting said first and said second energy absorption meanscomprises cable means connected to movable portions of said first andsecond energy absorption means.

1. An energy absorption device for use in automobiles having a chassis,a seat equipped with anchor means for safety harnesses and pivotallymounted on said chassis about an axis transverse to said chassis, and asteering column, said device comprising a first energy absorption meansmounted between said chassis and said seat to oppose pivotal motion ofsaid seat, a second energy absorption means forming a collapsibleportion of said steering column, and means interconnecting said firstand said second energy absorption means and adapted to actuate saidsecond means unilaterally in response to actuation of said first means.2. An energy absorption device according to claim 1, wherein said meansinterconnecting said first and said second energy absorption meanscomprises cable means connected to movable portions of said first andsecond energy absorption means.